Combining Ability Analysis of Yield Component Parameters in Winter Rapeseed Genotypes (Brassica napus L.)

Eight winter rapeseed genotypes GA096, Geronimo, Okapi, Orient, Sunday, Zarfam, SW0756, and Modena were used as parents of a complete diallel mating design. A set of 56 diallel F1 hybrids (with reciprocals) including their parents were evaluated in a 8×8 simple lattice design with two replications during 2007/08. Several agronomic traits like Plant height, number of lateral branches per pod, number of pod per main branch, number of seed per pod, 1000 seed weight, seed yield and oil content were recorded. The main objective was to examine the combining abilities of selected canola (Brassica napus L.) lines in diallel crosses and to identify candidates for promising hybrid combinations. Significant variances were observed among genotypes for all of the traits (except for seed number per plant). Significant GCA and SCA were observed for 1000 seed weight, oil content and seed yield. Reciprocal effects were significant for oil content. There were significant positive effects for yield and yield components. Keyword: Diallel analysis, Rapeseed, Combining ability, Yield components